November 24, 2010 - Spring might seem far away but when it comes the softball fields at Clarkston High School will be ready to go after their recent touches.

Don Peters, Girls Varsity Softball Head Coach, noticed a few things needing improvement to the dugouts and around the field.

"All I did was throw out the idea," he said, adding the parents took over the tasks and gave him some ideas of what needed to be done.

"They really exceeded my expectation. Even if we just got a few of the things done it would have been great."

Karen Zezula headed a group of parents and Stu Hastings led students with painting.

The area was revamped as a group of up to 25 volunteers worked from summer to fall painting the dugouts, put shelves in the storage area in the dugouts and put artificial turf in the batting cages.

Though the fields have had general maintenance done through the years the parents went through and filled the low spots.

They also repaired the fences, building cages and added ceilings to the dugouts.

The dugouts didn't have a ceiling and the birds kept getting in.

"I didn't mind," Peters admitted. "But they kept making a mess."

The volunteers put plywood on top for the roof and painted over it.

"They took the ball and ran with it," said Peters. "They were willing to put in that much volunteer time to benefit the young ladies of the community."

He noted the improvements and upgrades will last for seasons to come and a lot of players will be able to enjoy them.

"As a coach in the community I am very proud we have people in the community that are willing to do that," Peters said. "It is great they did it.They put a lot of man hours in and a lot of community service. I think that is the give back theme that has started to be prevalent."

Wendi graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint with a degree in communications. She wrote for the Michigan Times college paper and Grand Blanc View before joining The Clarkston News in October 2007.